|
And
it's that sort of excitement that has earned Thoni
some major recognition. In February, she was
selected as the Tennessee Middle Level Student
Council Advisor of the Year. Thoni will be
honored as an exemplary student council advisor at
both the Tennessee Association of Student Councils
conference in Chattanooga and the National
Association of Student Councils conference in
Colorado.
“I couldn’t have gotten this award without the hard
work of my kids," says Thoni. "I kind of
accept this on their behalf."
The Brentwood Middle
School student government is made up of nearly a
dozen students. Seventh and eighth graders
elect a president, vice president and secretary - as
well as several class representatives. Sixth
grade, because they are relatively new to the
school, only elect a president.
In
addition to following the by-laws and amendments set
forth by their own constitution, the government
makes key decisions regarding school dances,
fundraisers and class trips. They also
recently formed a Teacher Appreciation Committee
which, once a month, finds a way to honor every
teacher in the school.
"I try to get them to see that they are the voice of
the students," says Thoni. "They represent the
students in terms of anytime there is anything that
needs to be voted on."
And
while it can be a lot of work, Thoni says it's
rewarding to know her students are learning
important leadership skills that can't be taught in
the classroom.
"Their energy and their excitement is what gets me
through it because I just can’t believe how much
they do and how much they accomplish." |
